Workshops and Events

Please bring weather-appropriate clothing, water, sunscreen, etc. with you to the workshops/events. The Community Center is covered and has tables and seating. The Amphitheater has no canopy, but has seating. The Earth Village Canopy, the Connection Canopy, and Wild Meadows Canopy are covered, but have no chairs, so bring camp chairs or blankets. The Hidden Glade is open to the trees and sky and has no seating, so bring some if you need it.

Workshops and activities that are created onsite after the program has been printed, will be posted at the Information Booth. Unavoidable last-minute scheduling changes will also be posted at the Information Booth. Workshops and activities that require pre-registration will have signup sheets at the Information Booth, except for the Sweat Lodge Ceremonies. Please sign up for the Sweat Lodge at the RavenCircle camp.

Please note: Poi/fire spinners are welcome to practice their art any time at the main Balefire in front of the community center, and at the all-night drum circle in the Wild Meadow.

Workshop Schedule

Ongoing Throughout Festival
The Sanctuary See Info Booth for daily hours - off of Ridge Road

Thursday
Children's Workshops: The Elements and Wheel of the Year 3 to 5PM - Community Center
Welcome to Beltania 4 to 5PM - Connection Canopy
Wheel of Destiny Fundraiser for WRAPP 5 to 7PM - Community Center
Rhythms Abounding After the Opening Ritual until 10PM - Wild Meadow Canopy and Balefire
All-Night Drumming and Dancing 10PM until the last drummers stop drumming - Wild Meadow Canopy and Balefire

Friday
Children's Workshop: Labyrinths 9 to 11AM - Earth Village Canopy
Leather Mask Making Workshop 9AM to 1PM - Community Center
Exploring Into-Me-See 9AM to 11AM - Connection Canopy
Drumming and Spirituality 11AM to 1PM - Earth Village Canopy
Totems, Animal Guides and Totemism 11AM to 1PM - Connection Canopy
Dance of Universal Peace 11AM to 1PM -Wild Meadow Canopy
What is Traditional Wicca? 1 to 3 PM - Earth Village Canopy
Primitive Fire-Starting Methods 1 to 3PM - Connection Canopy
Laughing Monkey Chant 1 to 3PM - Wild Meadow Canopy
Trip to Dakota Hot Springs 1 to 5PM - Dakota Hot Springs, meet at Info Booth
Creating the Greenman 2pm to 4pm - Performance Art Tent near the Main Stage
NeoPagan NeoHighland Games 2 to 4PM or longer, if needed - the clearing adjacent to parking Lot A
Children's Workshop and Ritual: Feeding the Fairies 3 to 5PM - Community Center
Beginning Belly Dancing/Using Dance to Connect with the Divine 3 to 5PM - Earth Village Canopy
Introduction to Herbal Magick 3 to 5PM - Connection Canopy
All-Night Drumming and Dancing Midnight until the last drummers stop drumming - Wild Meadow Canopy and Balefire

Saturday
A Basic Introduction to Mead Making 9 to 11AM - Community Center
Faery Lore in British Folk Music 9 to 11AM - Earth Village Canopy
Children's Ritual: Welcoming, Wiccaning, and Naming 9 to 11AM - The Center of the Universe
Ritual by the Seat of Our Pants: Collaborative Semi-Spontaneous Ritual Planning 9 to 11AM - Connection Canopy
Make Your Own Dream Catcher 9 to 11AM - Wild Meadow Canopy
Laughing Monkey Chant 11AM to 12:45PM - Earth Village Canopy
World Shamanic Practices for Mother Earth Connection and Healing 11AM to 12PM - Connection Canopy
Creating the Greenman 2pm to 4pm - Performance Art Tent near the Main Stage
Trip to Dakota Hot Springs 2 to 6PM - Dakota Hot Springs, meet at Info Booth
Children's Workshop: May Baskets 3-5pm - Community Center
Chant Workshop: Music that Enhances Ritual 3 to 5PM - Earth Village Canopy
Love, Religion and the Goddess Athena 3 to 5 PM - Connection Canopy
Druidic Roundtable: Information, Discussion and Moot 3 to 5PM - Hidden Glade
Hula Hoop Class 5 to 7PM - The Center of the Universe
Yeast Herders' Gatherum 8PM on - Community Center
All-Night Drumming and Dancing Midnight until the last drummers stop drumming - Wild Meadow Canopy and Balefire

Sunday
Children's Workshop: Chants Workshop 9 to 11AM - Earth Village Canopy
Introduction to Mandalas 9 to 11AM - Community Center

Workshop Descriptions



The Sanctuary

Robin and friends will provide a safe and sacred space for people of diverse traditions to ground, heal, and relax. A listening ear and hugs will always be available. The Sanctuary will be located along Ridge Road in the car camping area, and open during hours posted at the Information Booth. Come by and relax with your fellow Beltanians.

Children's Workshops: The Elements and Wheel of the Year

The Earth the Air the Fire the Water, and what does it meant to you? This is a basics elements class for learning about the elements and how they touch you. Learn or review the elements and their corresponding colors, while exploring their place in the world around us. Geared towards 12 and under, everyone welcome. 4 to 5PM: Did you know there are 7 other Holidays in the year that are celebrated by most Pagans? Do you know what they are and why we celebrate them? Come learn or review what all of it means. Geared towards 12 and under, everyone welcome. Led by SARA JEAN, a Mother of Two who lives in the Denver area. She has been on her current spiritual path since sometime last millennia and will soon be receiving her Third Degree within Coven of the Goddess.

Welcome to Beltania

Is this your first time at Beltania? Are you new to the Earth Religions community or its gatherings? Would you like to know more about Living Earth? Members of the BELTANIA STAFF will give you information about the Beltane holiday and how best to have a great time at Beltania. They will answer your questions about festival etiquette and about this festival, as well as giving you an introduction to Pagan festivals in general and the Living Earth Community.

Wheel of Destiny Fundraiser for WRAPP

WRAPP VOLUNTEERS will lead participants in a humorous exploration of the game of Chance -- all for a good cause! Come spin the Wheel of Destiny. Will you win a prize or will you succumb to the whim of the Fates -- who might be feeling silly, challenging or flirtatious? Wiccan Rights and Pagan Pride is a Colorado nonprofit which works for civil rights and religious freedoms for the Earth Religion community and publishes the online Pagan Purple Pages and Front Range Pagan Community Calendar on the WRAPP website, at www.wrapp.org.

Rhythms Abounding

Intermediate to advanced drumming patterns for those ready to go beyond the basics. Our intent is to study through listening, sharing and re-creation of rhythmic patterns not always heard at drum circles. If you have a recording on CD of a particular drumming style or rhythm, please bring it along so we can share! I will be bringing a few samples to get things going. We will also -- time permitting -- discuss the history and spiritual connections behind the rhythms. Pagan Priest, SHADOW MOONDRAGON, has led the drumming over many years for many Living Earth rituals.

All-Night Drumming and Dancing

Bring your drum or other instruments and have some fun drumming and dancing around the balefire until the wee hours of the morning. As this is an all-night event in the Wild Meadow at Beltane, minors (under 18) are excluded from this event after midnight.

Children's Workshop: Labyrinths

It's an old puzzle game, It's a Movie, It is in fact a magickal tool! Come explore the mystery of the labyrinth and the magick that is hidden within. Find out how to make your own and use it in your life when you need it. Materials will be provided. Geared towards 12 and under, everyone welcome. SARA JEAN is a Mother of Two who lives in the Denver area. She has been on her current spiritual path since sometime last millennia and will soon be receiving her Third Degree within Coven of the Goddess.

Leather Mask Making Workshop

Learn hands-on techniques for leather mask making. It will take 3 to 4 hours for you to make your mask. The materials cost of $25. will include all needed supplies, but if you have feathers, beads, rhinestones, ribbons or other materials to share, please bring them along. You can pre-register with Patty at goldendragonfly@aol.com, at 303-229-5559 or at the Information Booth onsite, if there is room. Class limit is 20 adults or children over the age of 12. PATTY PIETU is an artist, costumer and mask maker, and the founder of the Fairy and Faun Fair. She has been an artisan and teacher for 40 years. Some of her mask making skills were acquired in Europe and New Orleans.

Exploring Into-Me-See

We will experience raising energy, first inside our selves, then with one other person and eventually as a group. I will lead us in a mental rainbow visualization process, and one that demonstrates the Path of Liberation as well as of Manifestation. This will be an experiential workshop and I will entertain questions throughout to meet the group wherever they are -- beginning, middle or advanced. This workshop is for adults and children over the age of 15. SUZANN is a college professor who has studied with Starhawk and Z Budapest and who has written a book on exploring intimacy.

Drumming and Spirituality

Why do we drum... there are a myriad of reasons. This workshop's intent is to explore the connection between drumming and opening a channel to the Divinity Within and applying that connection to that which we have with the Muse Within. Obviously, this is not limited to drumming, but to any kind of artisan craft and/or the makings of Magicks. Instruments not required -- bring your Goddess-gifted voice if naught else! Come and join as we explore a Muse-ical path to the Divine Within. Pagan Priest, SHADOW MOONDRAGON, has led the drumming over many years at many Living Earth rituals.

Totems, Animal Guides and Totemism

The animal world has a lot to offer us if we but slow down and pay attention. This workshop will discuss various ways of working with animals as guides or totems, and will compare aboriginal totemism versus modern totem work. This workshop is geared towards adults, but teenagers would probably enjoy it as well. SILVER is High Priestess of Denver's Coven of the Goddess.

Dance of Universal Peace

The Dances of Universal Peace are an inter-faith practice celebrating many world traditions through music and movement. The underlying belief is that the more we can include our bodies, hearts and voices in our prayers, the more powerful they become and the more deeply we can integrate them. No experience necessary. All ages welcome. Just bring an open heart, open hand and vibrating vocal chords! SARA RAIN is a minister, Spiritual Mentor, dance leader, chant facilitator, and a dirt-worshiping Pagan priestess.

What is Traditional Wicca?

KENNY KLEIN, a High Priest of the Blue Star Tradition of Wicca since the 1980s, explores the oldest traditions of the religion we now call Wicca, from its roots in Neolithic anamism to its practice in such places as the New Forest of England and the Witches Tower region of Alsace. He explores how much has changed in the Pagan Wicca we practice today and how much remains the same. Learn the lore and history of this seminal Pagan tradition, and how its practice has changed in modern years.

Primitive Fire-Starting Methods

This workshop will give knowledge, handouts and hands-on practice in traditional fire-starting methods, as well as ideas on how to incorporates firemaking into one's spiritual practice. Included are: how to make char cloth; tinder; firewood setup; flint and steel firemaking; and bow drill firemaking. Aimed primarily at adults, this workshop may also be attended by children over the age of 12 who are accompanied by a parent. HEATH BURTON is a thirty-year hunter, backpacker and outdoorsman. Heath feels that learning ancient ways can be both educational and fun, and that it brings us closer to nature and our ancestors. A $2.00 donation is appreciated to offset the cost of materials used. A few small firemaking kits may be available for purchase. Please bring your own camp chair to sit on.

Laughing Monkey Chant

Laughing Monkey Chant is an emotive group movement and voice experience, an exuberant, playful movement ritual. In it we explore primitive/pre/non human ways of being, acting and connecting. LMC is a joyful approach to creating, exploring, and loosing our selves into the group mind. It combines elements of Monkey Chant, Cuddle Parties, Laughter Yoga, and Tai Chi Clowning. LMC is led by DAMIAN LEUTHOLD (""The Monkey Mystic""), KIRILL KIREYEV and members of the Ecstatic Silliness Society. Damian is a dancer, musician and manual therapist who developed his unique approach to participatory performance at the Burningman festival in the mid '00s and during an around-the-world journey in '07 and '08.

Trip to Dakota Hot Springs

The first 15 people who sign up in advance and show up at the Information Booth for this excursion to the nearby hot springs can carpool out with BELTANIA STAFF for an afternoon of soaking in the swimsuit-optional, family-friendly pool. Children under 6 are free, children 6 -14 are $5. and teens over 14 are $10. Women are $10., single men are $15. and couples are $20. Bring your towel, sunscreen, shampoo and soap for cleaning up in their showers. You may bring food or drink if you like, but no glass bottles are allowed on the site. They have a few snacks and beverages available to purchase. We will depart from the Info Booth promptly at 1PM.

Creating the GreenMan

Watch acclaimed local painter Mary Shell paint a dramatic mural of the Greenman. The painting will available by silent auction as a fundraiser for Living Earth's impending purchase of land for the Pagan community.

NeoPagan NeoHighland Games

The NORTHERN COLORADO COVENANT OF THE RIVER is proud to present a new event at Beltania this year… Highland Games, NeoPagan style. Given space and availability of materials, these events will be slightly different than tradition, but fun nonetheless. Join us for a caber turning, a stone toss, and a hammer throw. Test your strength and win a prize. We will have separate games and prizes for men and women. The NCCotR is an open circle of many paths based in Fort Collins.

Children's Workshop and Ritual: Feeding the Fairies

Fairies are all around us. Mischievous, helpful, playful. At this time of year they are especially active. How do we know them? What can we learn from each other? Learn about them and what they have to say to you. And -- yes -- there are fairies for boys too. Geared towards 12 and under, everyone welcome. SARA JEAN is a Mother of Two who lives in the Denver area. She has been on her current spiritual path since sometime last millennia and will soon be receiving her Third Degree within Coven of the Goddess.

Beginning Belly Dancing/Using Dance to Connect with the Divine

Come let your inner God or Goddess shine by learning the ancient art of belly dancing. Any and all adults and teenagers (12 and up) are welcome. Bring a joyful attitude and hip scarf or jingle belt, if you have one. There will be some available. We will dance to recorded musical accompaniment. CLAIRE TURNEY (Red Wolf) has been dancing for 8 years. She finds joy, peace, love and connection with the Divine through dance and wishes to share this with all that come to her class.

Introduction to Herbal Magick

Come and join us for an exploration of some of the ways herbs can be incorporated into spiritual and magickal practice. Learn about establishing relationships with plants as allies; harvesting and offerings; herbs in ritual; herbs in magick; brief elemental and astrological correspondences; preparation of magickal items; incense and smudges; herb-based oils; and basic herbal magickal art. JEN CAPPS and JILL AHLBRECHT are trained in clinical herbalism, love to learn of the healing energies of plants and use them regularly in magic and medicine.

A Basic Introduction to Mead Making

Mead is a honey-based fermented beverage that had been enjoyed since before the dawn of recorded history. Because of its antiquity, mead has acquired an almost-magical reputation in our mythologies. This class is for adults who are interested in making their own mead as well as for those that have made their own mead and/or wines and would like to learn a bit more of the basics. TOMA is a member of the Covenant of the Wicca in Metro Denver. He will teach you how to get started, as well as some finer notes on the process, including the basic tools needed and what to look for in your mead. He is, as an individual camper, of his own volition, bringing some of last year's vintage to share and welcomes others to bring samples of their mead for tasting. REQUIRED NOTE: Living Earth and the Beltania Festival does not sanction or sponsor the use of glass containers or the distribution of any alcoholic beverages.

Faery Lore in British Folk Music

A professional musician for the last 30 years, throughout the 1980s Kenny Klein was a member of the musical duo, Kenny and Tzipora. More recently he has been a member of the LA-based group, Odd's Bodkins. Kenny has recorded many albums/CDs over the years. In this workshop he explores portrayals of Fairies, Werefoxes, Changelings, Selkies and other creatures of the magical realms from ancient folklore to Victorian ballads. Through story and song he illustrates some of the material he researched for his book, Through the Faerie Glass: A Look at the Realm of Unseen and Enchanted Beings, published this year by Llewellyn.

Children's Ritual: Welcoming, Wiccaning, and Naming

Beltane is a fertility festival. What better way to celebrate the wheel of life turning again then to celebrate our future through our children. This will be a simple ritual meant to welcome children of all ages into the Pagan world and bless them on their journey though life. Parents encouraged to participate. SARA JEAN is a Mother of Two who lives in the Denver area. She has been on her current spiritual path since sometime last millennia and will soon be receiving her Third Degree within Coven of the Goddess.

Ritual by the Seat of Our Pants: Collaborative Semi-Spontaneous Ritual Planning

The process of planning Pagan ritual with a group can be a celebratory and sacred act that brings your group closer and affirms the needs and contributions of every individual while utilizing your planning time wisely. JOY BURTON and other members of LIVING EARTH have been spending much of this past year developing a more collaborative and spontaneous process of creating and experiencing ceremony. If you've ever been to a Living Earth ritual and liked how we do things, come share in a hands-on experience where we learn what we have discovered to be an effective and enjoyable ritual planning process. For those new to writing and performing ritual as well as experienced group leaders. Active participation required!

Make Your Own Dream Catcher

These days dream catchers can be found hanging in rear view mirrors almost as often as in nurseries -- in the hope that our thoughts and dreams will be protected. Originally from the Ojibwa people, and now a neo-traditional symbol of Native Americans, the dream catcher's web is meant to capture "bad" dreams and allow only the positive in our psyche. Join us to learn more and craft your own. All materials will be provided. Donations are appreciated. Both adults and children over 6 (with adult supervision) are welcome. Please sign up at the Information Booth so we know how many are coming. CHRIS SOHNS is a member of the Northern Colorado Covenant of the River, an open circle of many paths.

World Shamanic Practices for Mother Earth Connection and Healing

Connect with the Earth Mother in simple, yet powerful ways with the cross-cultural practices and rituals of World Shamanism, old and new. Learn how to steward sacred space, see and connect with the aura of a tree, and use the power of Gaia to heal yourself and your world. Discuss easy sustainability practices to protect precious Earth resources and save you money. Take home ways to incorporate the resurgence of shamanism into your current mode of spirituality or as a stand-alone path. This workshop is for adults and children accompanied by parents. Children must be able to be quiet and still during meditation. BRANDI LANE is a Sensei in a dojo founded on elements of Japanese traditional Shinto Shamanism, is a student at the World Shamanic Yoga Institute, an urban homesteader and a volunteer in horse rescue. She has practiced Earth-based spirituality for 16 years.

Children's Workshop: May Baskets

Is it a gift? Is it a love token? What is a May basket? Come find out and make one to give to someone special. This is one way to keep our old traditions alive in our busy world which has eclipsed the old. Come see how it is done. Geared towards 12 and under, everyone welcome. SARA JEAN is a Mother of Two who lives in the Denver area. She has been on her current spiritual path since sometime last millennia and will soon be receiving her Third Degree within Coven of the Goddess.

Chant Workshop: Music that Enhances Ritual

Music enhances the magic, whether it's in your personal practice, your coven's rituals, or in a major public ritual. In this workshop, we'll explore how to select music that works. We'll teach lots of songs and demonstrate how to adapt a recorded song for your purpose. We'll show how to arrange songs effectively, call and response, harmony and techniques to simplify or dress up chants, depending upon the situation. Lyric sheets will be provided and you are welcome to record the workshop. By the time we're finished, you'll know the seven tips for making the most of your ritual music. ALANE BROWN, DONNA PAULINE and other members of the band, Crow Women, have sung and led chant workshops at Dragonfest and the Albuquerque Pagan festivals for 10 years. Their CD, Crow Goddess, is available at www.cdbaby.com. For more information, contact alane@frontier.net.

Love, Religion and the Goddess Athena

All religions evolve. A major change took place in several religions, including Greek paganism, between 900 and 300 B.C. - what historians call the Axial Age. The Goddess Athena could be said to preside over this change in Greek religion, refocusing it from a quest for power to the development of love. Have we incorporated this change into modern paganism? Do we need to do so? If so, how? Come discuss these and related questions at Beltania, the spring festival of love. ROBIN VINEHALL and MARY REEVES are Wiccan High Priest and High Priestess who have taught many classes and led diverse rituals over many years. They are founders of the Tree in the Circle, a Wiccan church with a qabalistic focus.

Druidic Roundtable: Information, Discussion and Moot

For those who are on any Druidic path or who have any interest in Druidry, this workshop will be an opportunity to meet others of similar interests, to share collective wisdom, and to commune with each other and nature. Gathering in a circle, we will share our experience of Druidry and ask and answer questions. Many will be gathered who have significant knowledge of the path. May Awen be with you. Note: Bring umbrellas or hats, as well as chairs or blankets, because the Hidden Glade is amongst the trees and does not have a canopy. IANNIN and the TREEHENGE DRUIDIC CIRCLE, a Seedgroup of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, will be leading this discussion and moot. Treehenge has been offering public Druidic rituals in Fort Collins for the past five years.

Hula Hoop Class

MORGAN, LINDSEY, and KRYSTYLYNN will teach you how to hula-hoop! Several hoops will be available to use during the class. These experienced and talented hoop dances will get you in the groove, and they will have several of their fantastic hoops available for purchase.

Yeast Herders' Gatherum

This gathering is a meeting for home brewers to share brewing tips and recipes for home-made mead, wine or beer. Please bring samples of your brew for others to view, plenty of water, a snack to share, and your flagon or cup. We'll take turns presenting our fermented fluids and explaining how we created them, and we'll pass them around for viewing and comments. For obvious reasons, this is an event for adults only. Bring lanterns for lighting. ALANE BROWN is coordinating this gathering, but knows that the gatherums are forums, with every participant contributing to the sharing of knowledge. REQUIRED NOTE: Living Earth and the Beltania Festival does not sanction the use of glass containers or the distribution of any alcoholic beverages. Campers may bring their own alcoholic beverages to Beltania. We cannot predict whether campers share their private property with others. Any sharing that may occur is without official sponsorship and is not done by any Living Earth or Beltania staff member or volunteer.

Children's Workshop: Chants Workshop

Sunday is here already. Has it flown by for you too? Come for one last good bye to all of your friends. Punch and Cookies will be provided and we will all learn a song or two to end the weekend on a happy note, pun intended. Geared towards 12 and under, everyone welcome. SARA JEAN is a Mother of Two who lives in the Denver area. She has been on her current spiritual path since sometime last millennia and will soon be receiving her Third Degree within Coven of the Goddess.

Introduction to Mandalas

This workshop will present a brief history of mandalas -- those intricate and beautiful religious designs -- and various ways they can be used for healing and meditation. There will be plenty of time to select and color your own mandala. All supplies will be furnished. NANCY STEERE has been researching mandalas in the last year and using them in her own personal and spiritual journey.



If you have questions, please contact our workshop coordinator at workshops@beltania.org.

In addition to our wonderful music and rituals, it's the workshops and events for adults or children that best represent the knowledge and creativity of our Earth Religions community. So get your creativity flowing for planning the fun, the educational or the inspirational programming that you'd like to see at next year's Beltania festival! We'll be accepting workshop and ritual proposals for Beltania 2011 starting on January 1, 2011!